Rugby: Crusaders forwards will make amends - Crockett

Wyatt Crockett. Photo / Getty Images

The Crusaders forwards were mentally right against the Highlanders but paid for being technically a little off at the breakdowns.

That's the view of prop Wyatt Crockett, who with his teammates intends to set that right in Friday night's match against the Chiefs. They know they need a win in Napier to consolidate a good start before the bye next week.

The 2011 Super Rugby player of the year said they were disappointed in themselves after the three-point loss in Dunedin, but their mental approach wasn't the fault.

"I think we scrummaged and set-pieced very well, our lineout worked well, and we provided a good platform in that respect,'' he said.

"Around the track just technically we were a little bit off the mark, a bit high at the breakdown.

"I don't think it was a mental thing at all - when you pull on that red and black jersey you put your heart and soul into it, and sometimes if you just haven't quite got that technique right or you're a little bit off the pace, then you get caught out.''

The Highlanders had obviously trained really hard at the breakdown and they got some good rewards from that, he said.

And referee Jaco Peyper did a pretty good job at the breakdown, he said. "We just weren't good enough and we've got to be honest enough to see that.''

With the short turnaround they were not out to "bash the crap out of each other'' to fix it this week, but were definitely mentally preparing for a bigger effort at the breakdown and making sure they protected the ball they worked really hard for, as well as working on other areas where they were poor in Dunedin.

The Chiefs tight five has been talked down as one of the weaker in the New Zealand conference. "But reputations don't count for a lot, do they?'' he said. "You're only as good as your last outing and we were pretty poor and they were quite good.''

However, winning the forward battle to try to starve the effervescent Chiefs backline was obviously a must, he said.

Israel Dagg seems likely to be played at fullback for his return to home territory in Hawkes Bay, with fellow Magpie Zac Guildford getting a start on the left wing in his place.